We are the ones who might get sick but probably won’t die.
The ones with the mild symptoms.
It’s nothing serious but stay home.
You’ll be fine but wash your hands.
We are the college students moving in a hurry.
Unceremoniously packing our dorms.
Never to wear the cap and gown,
never to make that final thesis presentation.
We are the travelers without our “trip of a lifetime”.
With harsh rescheduling fees and no time off from work,
will Italy wait for us?
Will we get another chance to see its beauty?
We are the schoolchildren,
stuck at home with siblings, parents and too much TV.
Where will our next meal come from?
There’s no free lunch at home.
We are the restaurant workers. The entertainers. The shopkeepers.
With no one venturing out, who will see our work, buy our goods, and eat our food?
Does social distancing coming with a 15% tip?
How can someone patron our store when they won’t leave the house?
We are the grocery store workers.
Nearly trampled in the public’s search for toilet paper.
So much toilet paper. Why toilet paper?
What’s coming next?
We are the parents.
Terrified of not working.
How will we support our children?
Terrified of working.
Who will watch our children?
We are the healthcare workers.
Bravely proceeding with protocol.
If we don’t do it, who will?
We are the ones taking care of everyone else.
We are the carriers.
We are the ones who might get sick but probably won’t die.
The ones with the mild symptoms.
It’s nothing serious but stay home.
You’ll be fine but wash your hands.
Please, don’t pass it on.
